“This is the first proper off-season I’ll have in three or four years”: Taylor Fritz looks ahead after ATP Finals exit

Taylor Fritz’s ATP Finals campaign came to an abrupt end in Turin, where he fell to Alex de Minaur in straight sets, ending his hopes of advancing to the semi-finals. The American, who had opened with a convincing win over Lorenzo Musetti and then pushed Carlos Alcaraz to three sets, needed at least a set to stay alive in the group. But the Australian proved too sharp, sealing the match and Fritz’s elimination.

It was a disappointing end for the World No. 5, who entered the tournament in strong form but once again found himself battling physical issues. “It wasn’t really the problem today,” he clarified when asked about his right knee during press conference. “A lot of times when I can get a light day of practice and don’t have to play an intense match, just one day off, I can normally come back and it’s not too bad.”

Fritz’s defeat to de Minaur also highlighted the razor-thin margins between the world’s top players. Their rivalry has long been one of contrasts — Fritz’s explosive serve and forehand against the Australian’s relentless counterpunching. “He moves so well, but he doesn’t play very defensively against me,” the American admitted. “He’s capable of being very aggressive too, taking the ball early.”

Despite the early exit, Fritz’s performance in Turin underlined his position among the elite, though his ranking could take a hit depending on how the remaining matches unfold. For now, his focus shifts to recovery. “This is the first proper off-season I’ll have in probably three or four years — three weeks or more,” he said with a hint of optimism. “I’m hoping I can actually get healthy and train.”

After a demanding season, Fritz views the coming weeks as crucial. The American revealed that his year was largely defined by maintenance rather than progress. “One of my biggest issues this year was that anytime I wasn’t playing tournaments, I wasn’t really able to work on the things I needed to improve,” he explained. “I felt like I was just maintaining, taking time off, and trying to feel healthy and fresh.”

That frustration was evident when asked about his 2025 season overall. He pointed out that while he found positives in his performances, particularly his improved return games against top opposition, his inability to train properly has limited his growth. “There are some positives to take,” he admitted, “but right now I feel pretty upset.”

The ATP Finals result also has implications for his ranking, with Fritz at risk of slipping from World No. 5 if results elsewhere go against him. Even more intriguingly, his fellow American Ben Shelton could overtake him and challenge for the No. 1 U.S. spot if he continues his own run in Turin. It’s a reflection of how competitive the American contingent has become — and how little room there is for rest.

When asked about the current state of men’s tennis, Fritz offered a candid assessment. “Now we’re just in the Big Two,” he said with a smile, referring to Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz. “Those two guys are ahead of everyone else. If you want to win a big title, more than likely you’ll have to beat one of them — maybe both.”

That pragmatic tone reflects where Fritz stands in the pecking order: close enough to challenge, but not yet breaking through. His narrow loss to Alcaraz earlier in the tournament showed flashes of his potential, yet also exposed the small gaps that separate champions from contenders. “If I play well, I can play close matches with Carlos,” he said. “I just need to keep improving — that’s my focus.”

For now, improvement means rest — and rest means opportunity. With a rare few weeks ahead without tournaments, Fritz hopes to enter 2026 both physically renewed and mentally sharper. “Instead of playing catch-up with injuries, I can actually get healthy and train,” he said. “Hopefully I can put in the work to improve and continue closing the gap.”